Closure for heaters



Oct. 16, 1934. c. KLAUSE GLOSURE FOR HEATERS Filed Jan. 31, 1954 lmyoaes Zaanse,

Patented Oct. 16, 1934 PATENT OFFICE CLOSUBE FOB. HEATERS CharlesKlanse,

Philadelphia., Pa.

Application January 31, 1934, Serial No. 709,062

2Claims.

The present invention relates to heating devices and more particularlyto a closure unit for use with a base type of electric heater.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide an improvedheating apparatus wherein the liquid contents of various types ofcontainers can be quickly and easily heated; to provide morespecifically a closure for removably mounting a bottle or like containerfor heating purposes; to provide a closure unit for use with a heaterbase wherein the closure part or parts can be removed and replaced atwill on the base; to provide a closure unit which is interchangeablewith other different closures upon a standard heater base; to provide anovel container supporting element for closures wherein provision ismade for effectively distributing the heat units to the containerwhereby practically all of the available units of heat are used; toprovide va closure for heating devices wherein the heating medium isretarded in its flow so that it leaves the heating zone with a minimumlow temperature; to provide a closure unit for heaters wherein thecontainer to be heated is accessible under heating conditions withoutmaterial loss of heat units; and to provide other improvements as willhereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of anovel closure unit in operative association with a base type heater;Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the body of the aforesaid closure;Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the closure cap; and Fig. 4represents a bottom plan of the closure unit.

Referring to the drawing one form of the present invention is shown inits operative assembled position upon a heater base 10 of the typehaving an annular seat 11 at the top and forming a chamber l2 above theterminals 13 and 14 of an melectrical circuit. The bridging of theseterminals 13 and 14 by water introduced into the chamber 12 closes thecircuit to convert the water into steam. This type of heater is fullyexplained in detail in United States Letters Patent No. 1,913,442, andis used here as illustrative only of one kind oi heater to which theclosure of the present invention is applicable.

The closure unit as here shown consists of a bell shaped body l5, havingthe major portion of its length of uniform diameter. The lower end ofthis portion terminates in an outwardly flared inlet section 16 whichjoins a flange 17 so shaped and dimensioned as to fit snugly within theseat 11 of the base 10 to thereby seal the inlet end 55 of the body 15while allowing it to be removed (Cl. 21S-40) and replaced at will. Theuniform diameter of the body 15 is such as to form with the container18, such as a nursing bottle, a restricted passage for the ascendingheating medium. The upper end or outlet portion of the body 15 is formedas an inwardly curved shoulder 20 which joins an upstanding flange 21 tothereby form a restricted throat 22 with the wall of the container 18.The inner wall of this shoulder 20 serves to retard and choke the flowof steam in such a manner that practically all of its heat units havebeen extracted by the container before passing through the throat 22.The loss of heat units by this efficient construction becomesnegligible. The outer wall oi this shoulder 20 serves as a seat for theclosure cap 23 which is preferably provided with a beaded lower edge 24of a size and shape to snugly fit about the flange 21 and rest upon theshoulder 20. This cap 23 as here shown is merging from a length ofuniform diameter into a tapered part 25 having a closed end 26 providedwith an aperture to receive a tubular rivet 27, the* passage 28 of whichbecomes a vent for the interior of the closure unit. Preferably therivet 27 secures a knob 29 of bakelite or other non-heat conductingmaterial whereby the cap 23 can be removed and replaced at will whetherthe heater is in use or not.

For the purpose of supporting the container 18 in position for effectiveheating, a supporting socket member 30, preferably formed of metal spunto such shape and size as will ilrmly seat the bottom of the container18, is provided. As here shown this member 30 is suspended rigidly fromthe wall of the body l5 in such position as to be in close proximity toand above the water in the chamber 12. The central portion of the member30 is cut away to provide a through opening 31 which directly exposesthe bottom of the container 18 to the main heat zone of the chamber 12.Also the downwardly tapering wall of the member 30 is provided withsuitably spaced ports 32 which provide a plurality of outlets so locatedin the chamber 12 as to change the course of the vertically rising steaminto a lateral or substantially horizontal direction so that it impingesdirectly against the sides of the lower portion of the container 18.This directional change is important because thereafter the steam risesin direct contact relation with the outer wall of the container and manyheat units heretofore lost now become available.

While only a single form is shown in which this invention may beembodied, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited toany 0f said bOdy having downwardly divelin 81de walls joining a bottomsubstantially parallel to the top oi said base for seating a containerto be heated, said member having pertoratimis in its side wallstodivertthecourseoi'theheatingmedium'against said container, and alsohaving an opening in its bottom for exposing the bottom oi saidcontainer directly to said heating medium. and a capseatingon saidbodyhaving avent therethrough.

2. A heating device comprising a closure open at its bottom and arrangedto seat upon the base .oi a heater, said closure consisting ci an 'openended body, a socket member suspended in the body having downwardly andinwardly converging side walls joining a nat bottom for seating acontainer on said bottom. said member having peri'orations in its sidewalls to divert the course of the heating medium against the container,and

also having an opening in its bottom. and a cap seated on said bodyhaving a vent therethrough. CHARLES KLAUSE,

